2007 Toyota Prius Brakes Problems

The brake actuator failed. When the car was diagnosed by the Toyota dealership, they identified the problem as an internal leak within the brake actuator. Luckily, nobody has been hurt attempting to drive the car, but it is still being driven to get it from home to the repair shop so anything is possible. The first symptom I could link to this was in 2023, when the car would not accelerate via the gas pedal after the brakes were pressed during cruise control. Turning off the car and turning it back on fixed the problem. Afterwards, the red brake symbol was turned on. From that point on, the brake light would only shine sometimes. leading me to believe there must not have been something wrong with the car, since nothing else happened after that. 2024 is when the red brake light and ABS symbol both lit up. The only information that I could find in the manual was to take the Prius to the Toyota dealership. I could not find details on the problem. I continued to drive the car regardless because there seemed to be no problem. After letting the car sit for a few months in 2025, I began driving it again, and it was fine. A month later, I turned on my car and was met with a loud beep that did not end. This was my final sign to take it to get repaired. The car has exceeded 200,000 miles. This fix is $3,205.40 at the dealership. My 2007 Toyota Prius is valued between $2k to $4k. The repair would cost more than simply buying another Prius.

NHTSA ID

11664994

Incident

Apr 17, 2025

Check engine light came on with codes C 1256 & C 1300. Primary issue is Brake actuator failure. Toyota is ignoring this known and repeated issue and it may lead to a dangerous/ deadly situation if brakes go out while driving.

NHTSA ID

11650664

Incident

Mar 25, 2025

Failing Brake Actuator Assembly. This is known issue by Toyota and they issued a brief warranty repair program, but have since stopped and refuse to fix the issue or provide assistance.

NHTSA ID

11623731

Incident

Aug 3, 2024

2007 Toyota Prius Brake Actuator needs replaced. ABS, Parking Brake, VSC light came on 2 weeks ago when driving down a highway.

NHTSA ID

11610960

Incident

Aug 5, 2024

There is a known, (by Toyota), issue with the ABS brake actuator in many Prius generations including the 2nd generation Prius that I own. My mechanic said it would cost @$3000 to fix. This as I said is and has been a known issue with these cars that affects the ABS braking and puts myself, my family and any one on the road near me in danger. Toyota was quietly replacing these under an unadvertised, extended warranty program. Mine is out of this so called warranty period but if this was a known issue and was corrected at no cost due to the fact Toyota knew there was an issue why was there never a recall on the affected models all with this same problem? I feel that this dangerous problem should be corrected by Toyota at no cost to the owners of their dangerous affected vehicles.

NHTSA ID

11609836

Incident

Aug 1, 2024

Brake Actuator system (ABS) needs to be replaced with only 133K miles on my 2007 prius. I heard a sound and had a Toyota service center check for any issues. They told me it was the ABS system that needed to be replaced at a cost of $5K. The repair costs are greater than the car value. Toyota knows about this year, make, and model issue. I contacted Toyota Corporate about this this week and learned there was an extended warranty for this specific issue on my car. They refuse to honor the extended ABS system warranty even though I'm under 150K miles per the warranty. They told me a letter was sent to me about replacing it at no cost in 2017. I never received the letter nor did the Toyota service center I used at the time tell me about the issue. Additional Info: I am not driving the car since the dash lights have come on - red triangle, check engine, VSC and (!) symbol - with a circle inside the (). Noise checked at Toyota dealer service center and confirmed it's the brake actuator system No inspection by the manufacturer, police, insurance rep, or others The sound came first when pressing the brake pedal and then the lights came on after taking to the service center

NHTSA ID

11542716

Incident

May 16, 2023

Unknown I had just financed the vehicle 2-3 days prior.

NHTSA ID

11519356

Incident

Apr 18, 2023

Due to water infiltration from a poorly manufactured hatchback, water is able to get inside the "Supply Assy, Brake Control Power" module in the trunk of the second generation Prius. This part ultimately shorts out and fails causing a loss of regenerative braking and a "brake warning light". Toyota seems to be aware of the problem as a replacement module is now sold in a "water proof sheet" (see attached). Toyota has also moved this module to a different location (away from the rear wall of the Prius) in other hybrid vehicles (such as in the Camry where it has been moved forward). I wonder if the hybrid batteries in the Prius also fail due to water infiltration in the rear sections of these cars.

NHTSA ID

11510606

Incident

Jan 17, 2023

Mileage

172,000 mi

Toyota has admitted that their BRAKE ACTUATOR assembly on their 2007 Prius FAILS and they will fix it for no charge BUT ONLY IF YOU COMPLAIN. The brake actuator on my 2007 Prius is now failing and the braking system has become UNRELIABLE and UNSAFE. Toyota should replace my failing brake actuator with a new unit for no cost because this is a SAFETY ISSUE. I refuse to pay $3000 out of my own pocket to repair an item which has a long history of FAILING.

NHTSA ID

11479963

Incident

Aug 2, 2022

The contact owns a 2007 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that while driving the speed was unknown due to the instrument cluster being inoperable. On another occasion while driving approximately 45 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed but failed to operate properly; however, on that occasion the instrument cluster was operating as designed. The vehicle stability control, ABS, and brake light warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and diagnosed with an actuator and brake booster failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 203,202.

NHTSA ID

11472401

Incident

May 28, 2022

Mileage

203,202 mi

The abs actuator failed which caused the breaks to act up.also casue warning lights.and noise from the pump.it also can casue the hybrid battery to fail because it can't charge right

NHTSA ID

11453316

Incident

Jan 26, 2022

Brake Actuator Re. Vin: [XXX] On 4/13/21 my Toyota Prius '07 was diagnosed by Toyota of Hollywood of a bad abs actuator that needs to be replaced. The fact of the matter is that about 28 months before that on 2/14/19 the Actuator assembly was replaced by Toyota of North Miami after being diagnosed first by Toyota of Hollywood. The reason I choose to do the job in north Miami is because it was less costly. My question is how can a genuine Toyota part fail in just 28 months.? Many Prius owners have been experiencing this safety issue since 2018. The warranty enhancement program ended before the fact in 2017. And there seem to be a misprint because how can the Secondary Coverage end on the same date as the Primary Coverage? (2017) When you use the date of first use of a 2007 Prius. Toyota needs to do another Recall for this safety problem. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ID

11435481

Incident

Apr 13, 2021

Under hard braking (over 50% of the pedal) the front passenger wheel applies all the force to stop the car to that one tire causing it to lose traction and skid. Brakes are insufficient to properly stop the vehicle and no warning lights are illuminated on the dash. Actually more than half of the time the whole dash does nothing, no MPH, no gas gauge, nothing but a blacked out information less panel. Then to top it off the car only has one headlight bc it blows what ever headlight I put into the ballast. 3 of the most common failures for a 2007 and my Prius has a grand slam assortment of serious potential life threatening problems that should have been repaired (never should have been assembled with) by Toyota. Minor wreck when attempting to stop the car under not driving conditions. Thankfully no one was hurt and only had to replace the front hood, bumper and radiator and support but have deemed the car as not road worthy and unfit for any driving conditions.

NHTSA ID

11423693

Incident

May 1, 2021

Abs vsc brake light on

NHTSA ID

11423302

Incident

Jul 2, 2021

When turning car on the car beeps loudly for 10-15 seconds. The brakes will randomly lock up. They do not always work properly on hills.

NHTSA ID

11419794

Incident

Jun 1, 2021

BRAKE ACTUATOR PUMP IS A KNOWN ISSUE ON THIS GENERATION PRIUS AND TOYOTA HAS STOP OFFERING A WARRANTY BEFORE I EVEN GOT THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID

11413417

Incident

Apr 7, 2021

Mileage

85,000 mi

MY CAR HAS ONLY 65,000 MILES ON IT AND THE ABS ACTUATOR HAS FAILED. BEFORE GETTING IT REPAIRED, THERE WERE MANY INSTANCES WHEN THE BRAKING POWER WAS SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED. THIS IS CLEARLY A SAFETY ISSUE THAT TOYOTA IS AWARE OF, BUT NOT WILLING TO REPAIR. I AM SHOCKED THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALL.

NHTSA ID

11399844

Incident

Mar 8, 2021

Mileage

65,000 mi

ABS ACTUATOR FAILURE AT ONLY 64,000 MILES. POTENTIAL FOR COMPLETE BREAK FAILURE IF NOT IMMEDIATELY ADDRESSED. TOYOTA IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE AS THERE IS A TSB, BUT THEY ARE CHARGING THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS FOR A REPAIR FOR A SAFETY CRITICAL ITEM THAT IS DUE TO A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. THIS SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER A RECALL.

NHTSA ID

11385276

Incident

Dec 28, 2020

Mileage

64,000 mi

MY WIFE AND I PICKED UP OUR 3 LITTLE BOYS FROM SCHOOL ON OUR WAY HOME AS WE GOT ON THE HIGHWAY WE HEARD THIS LOUD LONG BEEP SOUND AND IMMEDIATELY AFTER THAT MY BRAKES WILL NOT WORK SO I BEGAN PUSH DOWN ON THE BRAKE PEDAL MANY TIMES AND FINALLY BY THE GRACE OF GOD I WAS ABLE TO STOP. WE HAD THE CAR TOWED TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT AND THE MECHANIC CONCLUDED IT IS AN ABS/ACTUATOR PROBLEM WHICH TOYOTA IS VERY MUCH AWARE OF. THE MECHANIC ADVISED ME TO CONTACT TOYOTA TO FIX IT FREE BECAUSE IT IS COSTLY. I CONTACTED TOYOTA ABOUT THE SITUATION AND THEY JUST DIDN'T CARE. NOW I HAVE NO CAR BECAUSE ITS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND I DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO FIX IT. THIS WAS A LIFE THREATENING SITUATION FOR ME AND MY FAMILY HAD IT NOT BEEN GOD WE WOULD HAVE LOST OUR PRECIOUS LIVES.

NHTSA ID

11378336

Incident

Nov 30, 2020

Mileage

131,500 mi

DASH WENT OUT NO VISUAL, TWICE, 1ST TIME I UNHOOKED FRONT CABLE TO BATTERY, IT COME BACK ON, 2ND TIME, I STARTED CAR, CONSOL WENT OUT AGAIN, HAD TO TAKE IT TO TOYOTA PLACE, TO ORDER NEW CONSOL, BRAKE LIGHT ON, ASB LIGHT ON, AFTER REPLACING BOTH FRONT & BACK BRAKE SHOES, ENJECTOR PUMP WENT OUT

NHTSA ID

11378068

Incident

Dec 3, 2020

Mileage

200,300 mi

I OWN A TOYOTA PRIUS 2007 AND I EXPERIENCING BRAKES NOT ENGAGING AS THEY SHOULD WHEN APPLIED. I NOTICE MY ABS VSC BRAKE LIGHTS ARE ON MY DASHBOARD. I TOOK IT IN TO A SHOP AND WAS TOLD I HAVE A BAD ABS ACTUATOR. I RESEARCHED IT ON THE RECALL LIST AND IT WAS LISTED BUT EXPIRED IN DEC 2017. TOYOTA SHOULD FIX THIS PROBLEM. THIS WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID

11377408

Incident

Oct 15, 2020

Mileage

5 mi

STARTED GETTING BRAKE ACTUATOR FAILURE NOISES IN MY 2007 PRIUS BACK IN MARCH 2020 AND TOOK IT TO THE WEST COAST TOYOTA DEALERSHIP IN LONG BEACH, CA. THEY DIDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE ABS SYSTEM EVEN THOUGH THE GRINDING NOISE I NOW KNOW IS COMMONLY ASSOCIATED WITH THE PROBLEM WAS GOING OFF. THE OTHER DAY THE ABS LIGHT WARNING CAME ON AS WELL AS THE EMERGENCY BRAKE LIGHT. I PULLED OVER ON WASHINGTON BLVD AND ARLINGTON IN LOS ANGELES AND WHEN I STARTED THE CAR AGAIN AND STARTED TO MOVE FORWARD I HAD NO CONTROL OF THE BRAKES AND TURNED THE CAR OFF IMMEDIATELY. FROM WHAT I'VE READ THIS IS EXTREMELY COMMON! TOYOTA EXTENDED THE WARRANTY'S ON MANY OF THEIR VEHICLES TO 10 YEARS BUT THERE WERE NO RECALLS SO IF THIS PART MALFUNCTIONS A DAY AFTER THE WARRANTY THEN YOU ARE OUT OF LUCK. THE BRAKE SYSTEM IS JUST ABOUT THE MOST DANGEROUS PART TO FAIL. I CAN'T IMAGINE WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IF THE SAME THING HAPPENED AT A HIGHER SPEED.

NHTSA ID

11362463

Incident

Sep 30, 2020

Mileage

145,000 mi

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 70 MPH WHEN THE BREAK LIGHT, ABS LIGHT, AND TIRE LIGHT ALL CAME ON ACCOMPANIED BY A HIGH PITCH BEEPING. AS I ATTEMPTED TO PULL OVER THE BREAKS WERE ALMOST COMPLETELY UNRESPONSIVE. WHEN I CONTACTED TOYOTA ABOUT THE ISSUE THEY LET ME KNOW IT WAS A PROBLEM THEY WERE AWARE OF THE ISSUE BUT DIDN'T BELIEVE THAT HAVING YOUR BREAKS GO OUT WAS GROUNDS FOR A RECALL. I WAS ALMOST INVOLVED IN A HIGH SPEED CRASH WITHOUT THE ABILITY TO STOP BECAUSE OF THIS.

NHTSA ID

11351990

Incident

Aug 15, 2020

Mileage

290,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING AROUND A CORNER ON CITY STREETS, BRAKING SUDDENLY BECAME VERY DIFFICULT, AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SKID WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED. A HIGH-PITCHED ELECTRONIC SQUEAL CAME FROM THE DASHBOARD, AND THE BRAKE SYSTEM LIGHT, ABS LIGHT, VSC LIGHT, AND MASTER WARNING LIGHT ALL TURNED ON. THESE ARE ALL LISTED AS SYMPTOMS OF A FAILED BRAKE ACTUATOR. AFTER CONTACTING A LICENSED TOYOTA DEALERSHIP, I WAS DIRECTED TO THE TOYOTA CUSTOMER CARE DEPARTMENT. AFTER BEING ESCALATED TO A SUPERVISOR, I WAS INFORMED THAT TOYOTA IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM, BUT THAT THE WARRANTY EXTENSION THEY USED TO COVER IT EXPIRED IN 2017, AND THEY REFUSED TO COVER THE COST OF REPLACEMENT (~$3000). I BELIEVE THIS ISSUE SHOULD BE CAUSE FOR A SAFETY RECALL, AS IT HAPPENED SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. IT WAS PURE LUCK THAT THIS DIDN'T RESULT IN A CRASH.

NHTSA ID

11350794

Incident

Aug 21, 2020

Mileage

184,000 mi

I WAS DRIVING MY CAR ON THE HIGHWAY AND SUDDENLY MY BRAKE WARNING LIGHT, ABS WARNING LIGHT, AND OTHER LIGHTS CAME ON AS WELL AS A CONSTANT BEEPING NOISE. THE BRAKES ALMOST STOPPED WORKING COMPLETELY; IT ONLY WORKED ABOUT 10%. MY FOOT WAS ALL THE WAY DOWN ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, BUT THE CAR WAS STILL MOVING. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER, BUT THIS ISSUE LEFT ME IN A COMPROMISING POSITION FOR MY SAFETY AND COULD EASILY HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT FROM IT. THE WARNING LIGHTS GO AWAY AFTER TURNING OFF THE CAR, BUT THEN THEY COME BACK ON RANDOMLY. BASED ON WHAT I'VE READ ONLINE ON SIMILAR ISSUES, I BELIEVE THIS IS AN ISSUE WITH THE BRAKE ACTUATOR.

NHTSA ID

11348523

Incident

Aug 10, 2020

Mileage

143,000 mi